I am a step mother to a few kids who came to live with us 2 years ago. My husband and I go to court once a month because the birth mother wants the children to come back and live with her. The birth mother has been arrested 4 times in the last year for stealing drugs from various places and has a documented IV drug issue. The court case continues to be drawn out because the birth mother does not show up for appointments made by the courts. The appointments get rebooked. The matter is stressful, but also very expensive and the expense is now having an affect not only on my husband and me but the kids. My question is will the court continue to allow this to be dragged out? Is there a point where it might be said that the birth mother is dragging it out? Is there consideration for my husband who does what is necessary. An added note, we always promote the children to be with their mom, even if we have to drive them 2 hours away both ways.

Optional Information:
Province: QLD

Already Tried:
1. Tried negotiation with birth mom through phone, mail, e-mail and through lawyers on multiple occassions. My husband hired a negotiator. Birth mother told negotiator to "piss off". Birth mother has negotiated some just prior to going in the courtroom, however mostly she agrees to what would most likely be imposed legally.